One of the primary goals at the Marcus Lewis Day Camp is to encourage and foster the personal development of each camper we serve. We use an acronym to spell out the word S.P.I.R.I.T. to represent those attributes and/or characteristics we are trying to foster. Each day we attempt to build S.P.I.R.I.T. and the attributes it represents in all that we do, whether it be in conversation with our campers, daily programming, the electives, special events, or daily role modeling.

Campers are given a leather lanyard on the first morning that they arrive. They wear this lanyard as a necklace or a bracelet. Every time they exhibit one of the S.P.I.R.I.T. values described below, they are given a colored bead that corresponds with the characteristic or attribute they just exhibited. This necklace/bracelet serves as a form of recognition that the camper has demonstrated our core values in camp represented by the word spirit. In addition, it serves as a reminder to others that they should also aspire toward these qualities.

S : Sincerity -------------------------------------------Royal Blue

P : Perseverance ------------------------------------- Light Blue

I : Interaction w/peers and community ------- Green

R : Responsibility ------------------------------------ Red

I : Integrity -------------------------------------------- Orange

T : Teamwork ----------------------------------------- Yellow

Definitions of each characteristic:

Sincerity : To be genuine and honest in your interactions with others.

Perseverance : To persist in an activity or undertaking in spite of adversity or difficulty.

Interaction : To create relationships with peers, staff, and be an integral part of the Marcus Lewis Day Camp community. Respect other campers and councilors opinions and values.

Responsibility : To be accountable for one’s actions.

Integrity : Follows through on commitments made to others. Builds strong relationships based on trust and honesty.

Teamwork : Works or plays cooperatively to achieve a mutual goal.

Each lesson is created with the intent of meeting the criteria of at least one of the S.P.I.R.I.T. attributes. If campers succeed in representing or modeling the characteristic stated in the lesson, a bead is awarded to them for their necklace/bracelet.

Additionally, each camp group is in search of a S.P.I.R.I.T. leader. This camper is the child who best embodies those qualities and values we are attempting to teach. At the conclusion of each session, the group will choose a S.P.I.R.I.T. leader. This camper receives a certificate on behalf of the group and The Marcus Lewis Day Camp.

Click here to read a parent's review of our camp in which she mentions her children's enthusiasm about the S.P.I.R.I.T. program.